Applied Mathematics at University of Southern California

USC's Applied Mathematics program ranks among California's strongest performers, placing in the 80th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $71,622—nearly $15,000 above the state median. More importantly, graduates carry just $12,251 in debt, less than half what typical California math majors face. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.17, students are essentially clearing their educational debt with two months' salary, an unusually favorable position for any bachelor's program.

The tradeoff is minimal earnings growth: salaries essentially flatline at around $72,000 through year four. However, this plateau occurs at a level that already exceeds the national 75th percentile, meaning graduates start their careers ahead of three-quarters of their peers nationwide. For context, they earn nearly identically to UC Berkeley math graduates while carrying roughly half the debt burden.

For families weighing USC's selective admissions and higher sticker price against public alternatives, this program demonstrates clear value. The combination of strong starting salaries, remarkably low debt, and competitive positioning against California's elite public universities makes this a solid investment—even if the trajectory doesn't show dramatic salary increases. The key is getting hired into well-compensated entry-level roles, which this program consistently delivers.